Can-Am challenges farmers to rethink ATV safety

Can-Am challenges farmers to rethink ATV safety

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Can-Am challenges farmers to rethink ATV safety

On farms, there’s no such thing as ‘just a quick ride’ as every journey on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), whether across the yard or out in the field carries risk. As Farm Safety Week encourages the industry to put safety first, the message from Can-Am is clear; responsible riding is critical. Safety first is highlighted in Can-Am’s Responsible Rider Charter, which has been developed using the knowledge and experience of the Can-Am off-road team.

Can-Am challenges farmers to rethink ATV safety

Can-Am challenges farmers to rethink ATV safety

Can-Am’s user guidance reinforces the importance of wearing the correct protective equipment, such as wearing a helmet, carrying out essential vehicle checks and using ATVs as they are designed to be used. Following these simple processes reinforces best practice and Can-Am is challenging users to rethink how they approach rider safety and safety on site, sparking discussions from all age groups in the industry about the importance of responsible riding.

Mike Loach, BRP commercial manager, says, “We believe no job is so urgent that it should come at the expense of rider safety. This is why we’re committed to giving riders the knowledge and confidence to make safer decisions every time they get behind the handlebars. Through our Responsible Rider Charter, practical safety guidance and by encouraging users to complete recognised training with ATVEA or EASI, we’re helping to build a stronger culture of responsible riding across agriculture. If every rider takes safety seriously and passes these habits on to colleagues, friends and family, we can make a real difference in reducing avoidable accidents and saving lives.”

Can-Am off-road rider safety top tips: 

Load it right. Ride it right – Secure and evenly balance everything you are carrying on the ATV, never exceed the ATV’s load capacity and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations that are in the handbook.

Stay alert as hazards can appear in a split second – Keep scanning your surroundings for livestock, obstacles, uneven ground and other people and vehicles.

A two-minute check could prevent a serious incident – Before you start your ATV, inspect it to make sure it’s safe, roadworthy and ready for the job at hand. In addition, preventative maintenance leads to safer machinery and less downtime due to breakdowns

Smooth is safe – Avoid sudden acceleration or harsh manoeuvres as rapid changes in speed are a common cause of rollovers.

Dress for the ride, not the weather – Every ride should start with the right PPE, including a helmet, sturdy boots, long sleeves and long trousers.

Let your body work with the terrain – Shift your weight to stay balanced, lean forward when ascending slopes, move back when descending, select a low gear and use engine braking to maintain control.

Walk it before you ride it – If you’re working in unfamiliar ground, check the route or location on foot to identify hidden hazards, ruts, ditches or obstacles that could be an issue.

Expect the conditions to change – Weather can turn quickly. Be prepared to adapt your riding as changing ground conditions can affect grip, stability, towing and carrying loads.

Know your machine – Your owner’s manual is one of the most valuable safety tools you have. Read it, understand it and refer back to it regularly.

Set a top speed – Use the DESS key to set a top speed for your ATV that is relevant to the job being carried out.

Get trained and ride with confidence – Professional training gives you the skills to handle your ATV safely, make better decisions in challenging conditions and reduce the risk of incidents. If you’re new to ATVs or even an experienced rider, completing accredited training through LANTRA, EASI or other accredited training providers is one of the best investments you can make to ensure your safety.

For more information about responsible riding visit – https://www.brp.com/en/sustainability/responsible-rider.html

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STIHL introduces high-performance, low-weight chainsaw

STIHL introduces high-performance, low-weight chainsaw

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STIHL introduces high-performance, low-weight chainsaw

STIHL has launched the MSA 260 C-O, a lightweight, powerful battery chainsaw engineered to reduce operator fatigue during thinning and maintenance tasks. The new chainsaw, which offers 2kW of mechanical power at an operating weight of under 6KG, pairs high cutting power with a compact build, making it easier for professionals to manoeuvre when delimbing, felling small trees and processing timber.

STIHL introduces high-performance, low-weight chainsaw

STIHL introduces high-performance, low-weight chainsaw

More Cutting Time for Busy Professionals 

To minimise downtime for busy professionals, the saw’s interchangeable sprocket allows for quick switching between chains (with 3/8‘P and .325’ pitch), making it easy to swap out components on the job, with minimal disruption.

Smart Lubrication for Simple Tasks 

To support cost efficiency, for simple delimbing tasks, the MSA 260 C-O integrated oil pump’s flow rate can be adjusted to suit the user’s requirements, reducing oil consumption. This offers professionals control of the saw’s operation for managing running costs.

Proven STIHL Technology for Professional Reliability

Tried-and-tested STIHL features, such as side chain tensioning and a captive nut, also make changing the saw’s chain easy for users, and the saw’s externally mounted filter allows for simple cleaning, for maximum productivity.

Smart STIHL Controls and All-Weather Performance

The new MSA 260 C-O comes with an LED display built in to monitor machine status while on the job.  To further support professionals, the tool’s splash-proof design makes it ideal for use in all weather conditions.

STIHL’s ALLPRO System for Fast Flexibility 

The new chainsaw is recommended for use with STIHL’s AP 200 P battery, powered by STIHL’s new ALLPROsystem. When combined with STIHL’s new AL 1802 MO High-Speed Dual Charger, it can be charged to 80% in just nine minutes, even when working remotely, by combining with the STIHL PS 2000 power bank.

STIHL at 100 

The new design arrives as STIHL celebrates its 100th anniversary. Since 1926, STIHL has defined the global standard for battery and petrol-powered forestry, landscaping, and residential gardening equipment for professional and domestic users.

For more information on STIHL products, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Find out more about STIHL’s historic milestone, here: https://100.stihl.com

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Baroness delivers productivity without compromising cut

Baroness delivers productivity without compromising cut

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Baroness delivers productivity without compromising cut

For Adam Henderson, Head Groundsman at Greenock Morton Football Club, the challenge of maintaining a professional football pitch is made even tougher by the fact that, for much of the week, he’s doing it alone. For this reason, productivity and efficiency is everything when it comes to equipment and for mowing, an LM331 from Baroness is ticking all of the boxes.

Baroness delivers productivity without compromising cut

Baroness delivers productivity without compromising cut

Joining the club in August 2025, Adam quickly found himself in charge of a busy stadium pitch, used for women’s fixtures and academy training alongside matches and training for the men’s first team – currently playing in the Scottish Championship. Together with a packed usage programme, he was also faced with managing the demands of a natural soil-based surface through one of the toughest Scottish winters in recent memory!

“When I started, we quickly had conversations about what was needed to help and, while I love hand cutting, when you’re one person trying to mow, line, water and keep on top of everything else I knew I needed something that would ease the workload” Adam explains. “I looked at a few options and was really impressed with the cut quality on the Baroness and the fact that it was well built but not heavy, meaning we’d be able to get it onto the pitch without leaving tyre marks or mess.”

The club took delivery of their Baroness LM331 from local dealers Hamilton Ross Group in October 2025. The LM331 is equipped with precision engineered cutting reels and unique mower arms which maintain down pressure for a consistently beautiful finish, delivered in double quick time. “I can cut the pitch in around an hour which then gives me the opportunity to get feeds down or other tasks done before a game or in limited weather windows.”

As Adam explains, the productivity boost proved especially valuable towards the end of the season. “When the hot weather came, the grass just took off and having the Baroness meant I could stay on top of cutting without everything else falling behind.”

“The beauty is I get speed and efficiency without a compromise on presentation, with the LM311 providing a finish that’s very close to what we see from a hand mower.” He continues, “Another big thing is that the units stay on cut for longer. A quick check is all it needs, saving time on set-up and enabling me to just get on with the job.”

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PSD Groundscare Showcases Professional Lawn Care Solutions

PSD Groundscare Showcases Professional Lawn Care Solutions

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PSD Groundscare Showcases Professional Lawn Care Solutions

PSD Groundscare returned to this year’s UK Lawn Care Association (UKLCA) Summer Festival with a clear objective – to demonstrate how professional lawn renovation equipment can help groundsmen, landscapers and lawn care specialists create healthier, stronger and more resilient turf.

PSD Groundscare Showcases Professional Lawn Care Solutions

PSD Groundscare Showcases Professional Lawn Care Solutions

Throughout the event, the PSD Groundscare team showcased the latest innovations from ELIET and SABO, giving visitors the opportunity to see first-hand how scarification, overseeding and topdressing form the foundations of successful professional lawn care programmes. From sports pitches and fine turf through to commercial landscaping and domestic lawn renovation, visitors were able to discuss complete lawn care solutions with the team.

One of the key themes throughout the festival was the importance of scarification as part of a proactive lawn maintenance programme. While mowing improves presentation, scarification improves the health of the lawn itself by removing thatch and moss, allowing water, oxygen and nutrients to reach the rootzone. The ELIET range of professional scarifiers demonstrated by PSD Groundscare enables contractors and grounds professionals to deliver healthier, denser and more resilient turf with greater efficiency.

PSD Groundscare also showcased the ELIET EcoCure Self-Propelled Topdresser, an innovative solution designed to distribute topdressing materials quickly and evenly following scarification and overseeding. The EcoCure helps improve surface levels, encourage stronger root development and create healthier playing and growing conditions, making it an ideal addition to any professional lawn renovation programme.

A particular highlight of the event was welcoming ELIET CEO, Frederic Lietaer, who travelled to support the exhibition and meet customers and industry professionals.

Frederic Lietaer said: “I would sincerely like to thank everyone for taking the time to visit our booth, it was a real pleasure to meet you all.”

Visitors explored the extensive ELIET lawn renovation range alongside the trusted SABO professional mower collection, with the PSD Groundscare team providing demonstrations, technical advice and practical guidance throughout the day.

Peter Mercer, UK Sales Manager at PSD Groundscare, said: “The UKLCA Summer Festival is one of the highlights of the year because it brings together professionals who are passionate about producing exceptional turf. It gave us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of scarification and complete lawn renovation, while showcasing the ELIET and SABO ranges, including the EcoCure Topdresser. We’d like to thank everyone who visited the stand and we look forward to continuing to support groundsmen and landscapers across the UK with the right machinery and expertise.” The festival reinforced PSD Groundscare’s commitment to supplying premium lawn care solutions backed by expert advice and industry-leading support. Whether maintaining sports turf, fine lawns or commercial landscapes, PSD Groundscare continues to help professionals achieve outstanding results through innovative equipment and technical expertise.

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Kubota helps Crondon Park’s drive to the top

Kubota helps Crondon Park’s drive to the top

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Kubota helps Crondon Park’s drive to the top

A pair of Kubota compact tractors are proving pivotal to the ambitious development plans underway at Crondon Park Golf Club. With significant investment, a growing team and a clear vision the Essex venue is undergoing a transformation designed to elevate it into one of the county’s premier golfing destinations – assisted by the right people and, importantly, the right, reliable equipment.

Kubota helps Crondon Park’s drive to the top

Kubota helps Crondon Park’s drive to the top

Having first joined the club as a junior member in 2002 before returning as Director of Golf in September 2022, David Laffar has witnessed Crondon’s evolution from multiple perspectives. Now working alongside Managing Director Marlon Fox – whose family opened the club in 1994 – he is helping to steer the direction and investment into facilities, which has been substantial. “We often get told that the layout here is one of the best in the county, now it’s about bringing it up to a playing standard that matches.”

“Since mid-2022, over £3 million has been committed to course improvements including new drainage and irrigation systems and playing a key part in the successful execution of these projects has been the pair of Kubota tractors” he explains. Delivered by George Browns in May 2023, the 60hp Kubota L2622 and 50hp L1552 have quickly become indispensable. “They’re real workhorses and have matched the demands of the various implements we’ve been running as part of the renovation works.”

Picking up the baton to execute the next stage of the project alongside a team of five is new Course Manager David Byron. He comments, “Joining a club when there’s so much to do can be daunting, but I must say I took a sigh of relief when I saw we had two Kubota tractors in the shed! It’s enabled me to hit the ground running, getting renovations underway straight away with no concerns about power or reliability.”

“These tractors are the backbone of everything we’re doing – from aeration work to providing the right power and lift for existing and new implements we’re currently looking to add to the fleet. The two machines give us versatility for the different tasks, comfort for the operators who are often working long hours and peace of mind.” A sentiment echoed by David Laffar, “Out of our whole fleet, the Kubota tractors are probably the most reliable machines we have.”

The back-up from dealers George Brown has been another plus point for the club, ensuring that advice is available when needed. This support is increasingly important for the team as they prepare to host a number of major county championships across the summer. “We’re not a ‘traditional’ club but it’s nice to know what we’re creating here is now attracting the attention of tour organisers. We’re incredibly excited for the events of this year and beyond and know that, with Kubota, we’ve got the right kit to keep pushing those course standards” concludes Laffar.

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